Behavioral Health Program Manager

About the Organization

Planned Parenthood California Central Coast is an equal-opportunity employer and considers applicants without regard to protected characteristics, including race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, and other categories protected by law.

The organization provides affordable, high-quality reproductive health services along California’s Central Coast. Each year, it serves about 28,000 people through services such as STI testing and treatment, birth control, breast and cervical cancer screenings, vasectomies, and safe legal abortion care across six health centers. It also delivers sexuality education for adults and teens focused on healthy decision-making, pregnancy prevention, and STI avoidance.

Role Summary

The Behavioral Health Program Manager oversees the affiliate’s integrated behavioral health program in partnership with Clinical Services. The role also includes direct patient care delivered in person and through telehealth. Working with both licensed and unlicensed clinical staff, this position supports assessment, treatment, and referral for behavioral health concerns through a coordinated whole-person care model.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Partner with the Clinical Services team to improve, implement, and expand behavioral health programming.
• Create care standards, policies, and clinical protocols aligned with PPCCC Medical Standards and Guidelines.
• Build relationships with external behavioral health and related organizations to strengthen referral pathways and support networks.
• Develop efficient processes for identifying patients who need behavioral health support and integrating that care with other medical services.
• Maintain ongoing training, supervision, and quality assurance systems for both licensed and unlicensed behavioral health providers.
• Set and monitor quality expectations for behavioral health care, and work with the Clinical Quality and Risk Manager on audits and compliance tracking.
• Identify opportunities for group psychoeducation and behavioral interventions.
• Assess mental health service needs across the affiliate and recommend new services or improvements to existing programs.
• Recruit and onboard additional behavioral health providers as the program grows.
• Review legislative updates for their impact on program operations and advise the CMO on mental health policy matters.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Deliver direct patient care, including behavioral health screening, treatment, and referral to community partners.
• Act as a clinical resource for licensed and unlicensed staff, including consultation with medical providers on co-occurring mental health concerns, risk review, diagnosis, and care integration.
• Keep licensure and professional knowledge current through conferences, reading professional publications, networking, and participation in professional societies.
• Carry out additional duties related to the position as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise behavioral health providers, interns, and students as assigned.
• Provide consultation and training to ensure compliance with PPCCC standards of care and legal and ethical requirements related to behavioral health.
• Address personnel concerns in a fair, consistent, and efficient manner.

Qualifications

• Ability to make rapid and accurate clinical judgments about behavioral health concerns.
• Comfort working closely with medical providers in a team-based care setting.
• Capability to design and implement clinical pathways and behavioral health protocols.
• Ability to learn and use brief, evidence-based behavioral interventions with individuals, families, and groups.
• Capacity to work professionally with patients of all genders and diverse backgrounds.
• Strong empathy when serving patients accessing sensitive health care services.
• Strong computer and technology skills, including Microsoft Office, the PPCCC electronic health record, and related applications.
• Ability to adjust to patient flow after orientation according to agency guidelines.
• Comfort working in a busy environment while managing multiple tasks accurately and respectfully.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills and a warm, caring patient-care style.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to physically assist a patient in distress.
• Willingness to travel within PPCCC’s service area from Thousand Oaks to San Luis Obispo.
• Valid California driver’s license and appropriate insurance.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent.
• Active California license as an MFT, LPC, or LCSW.
• At least 3 years of related experience and/or training beyond the master’s degree.
• Preferred background in a health care setting or integrated behavioral health system.
• Preferred experience in sexual and reproductive health care.
• Preferred experience serving diverse patient populations.
• Preferred experience providing telehealth services.
• Bilingual English/Spanish ability is desirable.

Compensation

The starting pay for this role is $4,815.20 every two weeks, with a possible increase after six months of employment. In line with the organization’s pay equity approach, salaries are not negotiable.